Rome to Siena - Direct or via Florence?

The trains are efficient and run on time. Changing trains is no great hassle except that you have to lug your bags up and down steps when you change platforms. Buses are also efficient but check up first if the bus stops near the train station; also if the times dovetail or you could find yourself waiting a while.

Jerry, The train to Florence will involve a change to the bus station in Florence to get the bus to Siena. Going through Florence is not faster just more expensive. The bus http://www.sena.it/index_e.htm is direct.
All these will take about the same time, 3 hours.

Looks like the train to Florence is double the price of the train to Florence. Guess you pay for speed. If I take the train to Florence, i would have to take a Taxi into Siena, correct?

"If I take the train to Florence, i would have to take a Taxi into Siena, correct?" No, you can take the bus, see Henry's post.

hi Jerry, the most direct route from Rome to Siena is by bus. The SENA bus company link provided by Henry above will show you the routes. The bus ride takes around three-and-a-half hours, and the bus stops you in the city of Siena itself (name of the stop: Piazza Gramsci). The SENA bus departs Rome from the bus terminus at Tiburtina, just next to Tiburtina rail station, accessible by bus or metro. Buses between Florence and Siena run frequently, but you'll have to walk from the Florence train station to the bus station (5-minute walk), and it's likely to be a longer journey overall. The bus company that runs the Florence-Siena route is SITA, the schedules are on its website.

The train station is outside the city in Siena. The bus station is right in town. It's much easier to take the bus from Rome to Siena than the train.

Take the bus. Non-stop, drops you off near the center and is very comfy.

Connecting through Chiusi is a low stress way to go. http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=c79686605528a110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD